It is mistakenly thought to be about the Emir `Abd al-Qādir al-Jazā'irī, a famous Algerian Muslim religious leader and freedom fighter who resisted the French conquest of Algeria, but is actually about the 12th century Sufi saint Shaikh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (1078–1166 AD), the posthumous founder of the Qadiriyya Sufi Order.
[1] The song gained further popularity after the live performance at Palais omnisports de Paris-Bercy by Khaled, Rachid Taha and Faudel.
In France, "Abdel Kader" was certified Silver in 1998 by SNEP, signifying sales of over 50,000 singles.
[4] The song has been subject to many covers and remixes and is popular in live performances of many Algerian artists.
The track appears in the inaugural release of the Raï'n'B Fever series in 2004 produced by Kore & Scalp.